[CelestialArchon]

I am in the process of writing code for a program that will have several FS2 and FRED2 utilities in it.  I haven't seen any other programs that do the things I'm writing code for, so perhaps the program will be useful to FREDitors and the like.

My question:  Does anyone have any ideas on additional utilities they would like to have for use in creating missions, models, etc.?  I'm sure the programmers out there will want to keep their own ideas, but if anyone else wants to contribute, I'll be sure you get an early copy. :thepimp:

[CP5670]

One thing that might be nice and easy to make is a launcher-type program for FS2 that allows one to switch between sets of mods before loading the game up.

[Hippo]

A table switch, like to go from derilict to fsport to freespace2 with out renameing, just pushing a button or whatnot...

[StratComm]

Why not just use batch files for that?

[karajorma]

Cause it gets pretty complicated when you've got 3 or 4 mods installed.

Unless you`ve got better batch skills than me at least.

[Unknown Target]

I'd like a background generator for FRED 2 missions that actually works

[vyper]

Self re-heating coffee would be good for Frediting  

[CP5670]

Why not just use batch files for that?

The main problem with those is that adding new campaigns to batch files is a fairly cumbersome process, as you have to change around many parts of it to successfully integrate another mod.

[Skippy]

Originally posted by Unkown Target
I'd like a background generator for FRED 2 missions that actually works

The version 3.5.2 of the FS2MBU works fine here

[Kazashi]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd personally like to see a .pof constructor with the ability to create the hierarchy in that program (perferably WYSIWYG) rather than doing it beforehand in something like Truespace. By this I mean something like importing LOD 0 as the base, then importing totally seperate models (not necessarily restricted to .cob) in the "turret layer" (layers being akin to those used in Lightwave for example), the extra LOD's in their own layers, then link them through these layers into a final pof file. I've got this big mental 3D construct of what such a program would look like, don't know if these words quite get the idea across though.

Wouldn't it be easier to handle playing different mods with a -set game command, like in most FPS's? I know it would require modifying the source, but IMO that would be better than batch files and renaming folders etc.

[karajorma]

Having a program that does it is the best option mentioned so far. Who wants to mess around with command line options to play the game? Just click on an icon and it's done is the better.

The best option of all would be to have a way of picking which mods are turned on just like in I-war II.

[Hippo]

Originally posted by vyper
Self re-heating coffee would be good for Frediting  

if you empty your cd drive it makes a nice cup holder...

[Hudzy]

Originally posted by Skippy
The version 3.5.2 of the FS2MBU works fine here

Where can I find that?

[Kazan]

Originally posted by Hippo
A table switch, like to go from derilict to fsport to freespace2 with out renameing, just pushing a button or whatnot...

FreeSpace 2 Package Manager does that


a model editor already exists - POF Constructor Suite

[Kazan]

Originally posted by Kazashi
I don't know about anyone else, but I'd personally like to see a .pof constructor with the ability to create the hierarchy in that program (perferably WYSIWYG) rather than doing it beforehand in something like Truespace. By this I mean something like importing LOD 0 as the base, then importing totally seperate models (not necessarily restricted to .cob) in the "turret layer" (layers being akin to those used in Lightwave for example), the extra LOD's in their own layers, then link them through these layers into a final pof file. I've got this big mental 3D construct of what such a program would look like, don't know if these words quite get the idea across though.

Wouldn't it be easier to handle playing different mods with a -set game command, like in most FPS's? I know it would require modifying the source, but IMO that would be better than batch files and renaming folders etc.

perhaps you should look around for the prexisting programs and ask the authors of them [ie me] for features like that

[Kazan]

Originally posted by Unkown Target
I'd like a background generator for FRED 2 missions that actually works

if you have a problem with FS2MBU perhaps you should have contacted me, you know i do fix bugs and add features

[Kazan]

For those of you that are new I have written

VP Constructor Suite
POF Constructor Suite
FreeSpace 2 Package Manager
FreeSpace 2 Mission Background Utility
FreeSpace 2 Programmable Installer [aka Unholy Alliance Programmable Installer]


http://alliance.sourceforge.net


welcome to my turf

[Unknown Target]

I'd like the ability to re-size the ships, and/or then set them to the average size for a fighter, bomber, etc..

[Kazan]

altering geometry once it is in the BSP tree is a risky thing, all data has to be updated meticulously and CORRECTLY otherwise the stability of the model is comprimised, and most likely collision detection and all that good stuff doesn't work.  That is why geometry alterations are best left to the modeling environments, where the model is still in a very flexible binary format, the BSP/IDTA binary model format is very inflexible.


Changing hierarchy is not a geometry-based change, just an association change, and would be easy enough to add, the editors for those will be changed from read-only displays in time

the current high priority feature is the WYSIWYG renderer

[karajorma]

Originally posted by Kazan


FreeSpace 2 Package Manager does that

Okay While Package Manager does have some abilities to do that it is a long way from perfect. Since it relies on batch files lots of Mission designer can`t write the required batch files so many campaigns go out without them.
 The other problem I have with it is that I`d also need to make up a batch file for my own campaigns even before I`ve finished them. (and I know very little about batch files since back in the days when learning MS-DOS was important to a PC user I was using the far superior AmigaDOS)

What would be nice would be a program that deals with this sort of thing without either the Mission Designer or the user needing to know how to write a batch file.
 I don`t know C too well but it shouldn`t be too hard to write a program which can rename directories. (of course even better would be to have this ability in FS2 itself).